Mark Payne-Gill / Three banded armadillo rolling up into defensive ball {Tolypeutes tricinctus}. Very tough skin consists of double layer of horn and bone

Mark Payne-Gill / Three banded armadillo rolling up into defensive ball {Tolypeutes tricinctus}

Mark Payne-Gill / Three banded armadillo rolls up in defensive ball {Tolypeutes tricinctus}

Mark Payne-Gill / Brazilian three banded armadillos rolled up in defensive ball {Tolypeutes tricinctus} - head and back view. Articulated tough skin in hinged bands allow flexibility

Luiz Claudio Marigo / Hand holding Brazilian three banded armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) on its back, Cerrado region of Piaui State, North Eastern Brazil. Vulnerable species.

Luiz Claudio Marigo / Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) looking out of termite mound, cerrado of Piaui State, Northeastern Brazil.

Luiz Claudio Marigo / Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) foraging in termite mound, cerrado of Piaui State, Northeastern Brazil.

Luiz Claudio Marigo / Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) leaving termite mound, cerrado of Piaui State, Northeastern Brazil.

Luiz Claudio Marigo / Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) in termite mound, cerrado of Piaui State, Northeastern Brazil.

Luiz Claudio Marigo / Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) foraging in termite mound, cerrado of Piaui State, Northeastern Brazil.

Luiz Claudio Marigo / Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) emerging from defensive ball, cerrado of Piaui State, Northeastern Brazil.

Luiz Claudio Marigo / Three-banded Armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus) curled in to a defensive ball, cerrado of Piaui State, Northeastern Brazil.